LANSING, Ill. (March 26, 2023) – The Lansing Human Relations Commission is organizing its second annual Prevent Child Abuse Month event, which will take place at Freedom Church Ministries on Wednesday, April 5, at 10 a.m.
April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the theme of Lansing HRC’s event is “Building Together: Prevention in Partnership.”
April 5 Prevent Child Abuse event
Featured speakers at the event are listed below:
- Belinda Farr, prevention specialist, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois
- Karina Gil, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
- Monica Czajkowski, LPC, MDT, Park Forest La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center
- Dr. Emily Sifferman, Advocate Christ Hospital’s Child Protection Team
- Lansing Chief of Police Al Phillips
- Sarita Washington, BeStrongFamilies.org
- Anna Caliz, founder and executive director of GiftsfromLiam.org.
“We as Lansing Human Relations commissioners care about the lives of Lansing residents,” said Valerie McDaniels, Lansing HRC chairperson. “We want to bring awareness [of] child abuse to the adults and caregivers, that there are other ways to discipline your children that will bring about a more positive childhood experience.”
McDaniels will welcome attendees to the event, Freedom Church pastor Dewayne Sutton will open with prayer, Lansing Mayor Patty Eidam will read a proclamation, and First United Methodist Church pastor Dave Price will close the event in prayer.
Those arriving up to an hour before 10 a.m. can participate in the MANicure Movement Blue Nail Painting Event. For a $5 donation, participants can get one fingernail painted blue to symbolize that one in five children in the United States will be abused before the age of 18.
Pinwheels
At noon after the event, participants are invited to plant blue pinwheels at the Lansing Municipal Center (3141 Ridge Road). Blue pinwheels symbolize commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Supporting businesses
In support of child abuse prevention, Gus Bock’s Ace Hardware has donated blue lightbulbs that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to Lansing residents. They are also selling the bulbs at their store at 3455 Ridge Road.
Calumet Bakery (18349 Torrence Avenue) and Kdulche Café (3521 Ridge Road) are offering blue pastries for purchase.
Freedom Church Ministries is located at 2261 Indiana Avenue in Lansing, though the main entrance is on the south side of the building, accessible from 2298 Ridge Road.
To report child abuse in Illinois, call 1-800-25ABUSE.
